receive our news:
(what is RSS?)

tebu-bio news

Cytoskelfix™ Advanced Cell Fixative

Cytoskelfix™ is a new cell fixative that is ideal for fixing actin and tubulin based structures in fine detail. Traditionally microtubule structures have been fixed with cold methanol, whereas F-actin structures have been fixed with paraformaldehyde or a similar cross linker. Cytoskelfix™ reagent allows you fix both at the same time which reduces time and costs, and assists in visualizing both types of structures in the same cell without losing clarity. Recent publications have shown this reagent to enhance the visualization of F-actin and microtubule associated proteins.

Examples of publications using this reagent :

• Robinson RW and Snyder JA. 2004. An innovative fixative for cytoskeletal components allows high resolution in colocalization studies using immunofluorescence techniques. Histochem. Cell Biol. 122, 1-5.
• Robinson RW and Snyder JA. 2005. Localization of myosin II to chromosome arms and spindle fibers in PtK1 cells: a possible role for an actomyosin system in mitosis. Protoplasma, 225, 113-122.
• Robinson RW and Snyder JA. 2006. Colocalization studies of Arp1 and p150Glued to spindle microtubules during mitosis: The effect of cytochalasin on the organization of microtubules and motor proteins in PtK1 cells. Cell Biology International, 30, 631-639.

Figure: Actin stained with rhodamine phalloidin (red), tubulin stained with anti-tubulin (Cat nr ATN02) plus a fluorescein secondary antibody (green). Bar = 10um.

Product uses include fixing cells in

• Tissue culture samples
• Tissue samples
• Blood samples

The Cytoskelfix™ reagent makes it very easy and quick to fix cells for later staining with antibodies or other cytochemical markers:

1. Pipette Cytoskelfix™ reagent onto the tissue cutlure cells
2. Incubate 4 min at -20oC
3. Wash twice in PBS for 5min each
4. Stain as desired with antibodies or rhodamine phalloidin (Cat nr PHDR1).